Spring balanced container lid



U h 3 1933. R. F. KUNS SPRING BALANCED CONTAINER LID Filed March 21,1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. YfiKU/VS A TTORNEY.

6%. 3 1933. R F s SPRING BALANCED CONTAINER LID Filed March. 21, 1932 2Sheets-Sheet I?! as Patented Oct. ,3, 1933 The invention relates tocontainers having lids which, are hingedly connected with thebo'dy andadapted to be manually opened.

iljHeretofore considerable manual"force; as w'ell g asinconve'm'ence andenergy, 'hasbeen required to iopen" containers whose vlids are.pivotally or .hingeclly connected "with the body particularly iigthelid is relatively heavy, 1 The bodiesutilized ontrailersi chassis, andwhich are intended to all) contain campers equipment, andthe like;usually are constructedwitha lid which, when opened,

forms one- -half ofxthefloor and walls oi a house or place'of habitationwhich may be utilized for sleeping and cookingf Particularly, becausecon- ;ltl tainerslof this nature are: relatively large "and heavy,considerable manual force necessarily is required to open orraisetheirlidsi Therefore, the general object ofthe invention is to providesimple, efiicient and dependable means adapted automatically to;equalize, or

compensate," and reduce themanual eii ort or force ordinarily requiredto open and close the lidofacontainer."

{ Other objects of the invention are to provide 5 simple, "eificientandvpractical means whereby a resilientmember, such as a coil spring, isutilized to impart force or powerfor the purpose, of asisisting a personto lift said lid when opening and closing said container and to providemeans n jwhereby'the'tension of said coilspring' is adapted to impartforceto retain saidli'd in a stationary ;positionintermediate -the openand closed posi- -tion. j The invention consists 'inproviding resilientmeans having such connectionswith the lid ofa COntainenthat saidresilient means is adapted to 'exert forcetoraisesaid lidy and tovexertl iorce a to sustain-said lid while the same is being lowered.

, The invention, also, consists in the combinatiori, -=arrangementxand=details otthe .partsiand :4 is a sideelevational-viewof the inventionshown: in: fully opened :position. and with. dotted "lines? sshowingv-;thelid' in: .partly a closed position;

" wand 1,928,667 r s I i senmoinanancnn CONTAINERLIDH T Ray innuna-iviai qn u, Ohio Application Mimi! 2 1, 1932 Serial No. 600,160, "1g oa'im' sgf (Cl/220 47) The width ofthe-body-rz, orf'the distanceberearend zz securedjto the rear e'nd'23 of the of the sides and adjacent:the'bottom '8 and a the ,end 4, of thebody 2, arethe pulleys -25 whichare mounted upon'the shaftsj26 having-their Suitably around or threadedthrough the pulleys 25.

I Fig. 5 is a planviewbf theinventionshown' in wideopen position. I 1 sIn the preferred constructionof the invention s I provide the container1 comprising the bottom orbody2 and the'top or lid 3. jlhebody coinprises theintegrally formed ends land '5, sides 6 and Z'Qand bottoin fiandhasthe'open top 2'. I The lid comprises the integrally -formed 'ends9 and 10,;sides -11 and 12, and-top 13;andhasthe open bottom 3.

tween theoutersurfacesof'theysides 6 and 7,-is I considerablyless thanthe widthof the top 3,:or the distance-between the inner-surfaces of thesides ll and 12 and the sides 6 and '7; respectively,

are ofisetinwardly from the sides 11" and' 12ior purposeshereinafterjfullyexplained.

The end f the'body 2ishingedly connected with the end 10; of the top 3,as by the usual hinge 7 l i positioned intermediate the. upper edgebeing positioned a slight distance closer to the edgel5 thanthe distancefrom the bottom 8.

Positioned adjacent each side 6 and '7, and the outer edges of thebottom 8,- of the body 2; are the tubes 16 andl'l secured in fixedrelationwith respect to thebody 2" as-by thespaced apartbandsllsreceived around the tubes. The bands 18 are fixed to therespective sid'es pf the body "2 as by the rivets 19 which; arecombinedly received throughthe bands andthe-"respective sides.

' Received within the'tubes 16 and 1?, respectively, are; the coilsprings 20 and 21 -having their tubes, afsby' the" bolts 24 whichprotrude out-i wardly through the rearfend of the tubes H IflRotatablym'ountedon the outer surfaces of the sides '6' and '7, andadjacent the lower edges.

innerends received in thev sides 6 and'l and the pulley plates orsupports 27 which are attached to theouter surfaces of theside's; Thebolts or rivets 28'fixthe plat es'z'l to the sides of the 9 body 2. 1 Ii I fixedto the 'front end 29 of the coil springszoand 21 are the cables:29 received 1; Rotat'ably mounted on the outer surfaces of eachside 6and '7, and. adjacent 'the upperedge 15 'ancl above the end 4, ofthebody 2, are the horizontally aligned pulley's 30 and "31 whose Aouter edges may contact, orbe slightly spaced apart LH he cables 29 arereceivedbetWe'enQor threaded through the respective pulleys 30 and 31which are rotatably mounted upon the shafts 32 and 33 whose inner endsare fixedly mounted in the sides 6 and 7 and in the pulley support plate34 secured to the sides as by the bolts or rivets 34'. The upper ends 35of the cables 29' are secured to the studs 36 suitably secured in thesides 11 and 12 of the lid 3. The studs 36 project outwardly of the lidand are advantageously disposed about centrally of the respective sides.

As previously explained, the width of the body the lid from falling toclosed position or falling to the'open position. Irrespective of thedirec- 2 is considerably less than the width of the lid 3.

springs 20 and 21. The force exerted by the springs tends to prevent theforce of gravity from drawing the lid in its downward position, shown inFigs. v1 and 2, whereby a relative small manual force exerted upwardly,against the edge 37 of the lid, is sufficient to prevent the lid fromfalling rapidly to closed position.

An advantage of the invention is that the coil springs 20 and 21 exertforce to, assist the operalifting the lid 3 from either a closed or opentor in position to a balanced position in which position Therefore, whenthe lid is in closed position, as?

shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the cables29', pulleys 30 and 31 and pulley 25are received intermediate the respective sides of thebody and the lid.

The mechanical operation of the invention is as follows: .u Assume thelid 3,, of the container 1, is closed, telescoping, over the body 2, asshown in Figs. 1 and 2. The operator may projecthis fingers in contactwith ,the lower edge 3'7 of the lid 3 which, when the container isclosed, is spaced upwardly from the bottom 8, of the body, a sufficientdistance to prevent contact of the lower edge 3'? of the lid with thetubes lfi and 17. Manual force exerted upwardly, with respect to the lid3, causes the lid to pivot on the hinge 14. Simultaneously,'tension ofthe cables 29 is exerted by the coil springs 20 and 21 since, when thelid, 3 is in closed position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the coilsprings 20 and 21 are elongated, or in tension. The force exerted by thesprings equalizes, compensatesor reduces the amountof normal manualforce required to open the lid to the position shown in dotted lines inFig. 4. When the lid is forced further upwardly, near or at a balancedposition, the cables 29' are drawn inwardly by the coil springs 20 and21 which are in neutralized position. Further manual force exerted inthe same direction, indicated by the arrow 38, against the lid 3 causesthe studs 36 to be removed a farther distance from the pulleys 30' and31,'thereby exerting tension on the cables 29 which extend the coilssprings 20 and 21. The force requiredto extend the springs equalizes orreduces the normal manual upward force required to lift or lower the lidslowly to the open position shown in Figs. 3, and 4. While the lid 3remains in fully opened position, asshownin Fig. 4, the cables 29 exertforce caused by tension of the coil springs 20 and 21, and the springsremain in elongated or extended position while the lid is in fullyopened position. However, the normal force exerted by the coil springs20 and 21 with respect to the cables 29 is not sufilcient only slightmanual force is required to prevent tion inwhich the lid 3 is moved fromthe balanced' position the force exerted by the coil springs 20' and 21co-operates with the operator in assisting and relieving him fromexerting the normal force required to prevent the lid from to overcomethe force of gravity which retains the lid 3 in open position.

When itis desired to close the container 1, as by lifting'the end 9 ofthe lid 3 upwardly, the operator is required only to exert [slightmanual forcesince the tension in the coil springs 20 and '21 istransmitted to the cables 29' which in turn exert upward pressure incontact with the studs 36 because the pulleys3Q, on-which the cables areresting, are positioned above the studs 36 and the pulleys 25 arepositioned beneath the pulleys 32 and 33. When the lid 31s elevated tonear or at a balanced position the coil springs 20 and 21 are in normalor neutralized position. Further movement of the lid 3, to thepositionshownby "dotted lines in Fig. 4, causes the cables 29 to movefromthe pulley 30 and rest upon the pulley 31 thereby causing the cables29' to elongate the "the claims.

the general form and arrangement of mechanical rapidly falling, by forceof gravitation, to the open or closed position.

Another advantage of the invention is that the double or twin pulleysarepositioned in close relation with each other, whereby the cables 29' areadapted to swing automatically from contact with the pulley 31 intocontact with the pulley 30, when the lid is being opened, and when thelid is being closed the cables 29 are adapted to automatically swingfrom contact with the pulley 30 into contact with the pulley 31'.

The importance of equalizing the manual force required to lift the lidfrom the closed position shown in Figs. 1' and 2 to the balancedposition,

and the upward pressure'required to slowly lower the lid from thebalanced position to the open position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, isreadily appreciated when it is considered that numerous kinds ofcontainers, particularly those such as ficiently large to provide ample,space for sleeping space and cooking as well as storage for heavyequipment utilized by campers.

Still another advantage of the invention is that telescoping bodiesutilized on trailers, are sufthe normal force exerted by the coilsprings 20 I and 21 is obtained without expenditure, except cost ofinstallation of the parts as previously explained. v f

It is apparent that I have invented a practical device. adapted, toconsiderably relieve an operator from exertion of manual force inopening and closing lids of various kinds of containers. It is, also,readily apparent that the size and .strength of the cables 29 andsprings 20 and 21 device will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasizethe fact that changes in the details may be resorted to, whenrequired,-without sacrificing any of the advantages 'of the invention asdefined in Various changes may be made in parts describedwithoutdeparting from the in- ,vention. vI Ience I do not limit myself tothemecise details of thematerials or the size and shape thereof as setforth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes andalterations as fairly a a aU fall within the i spirit and scope r theappended and'final claims.

Q What 'I claim "as new anddesire to-secure by "Letters" Patent is:

I. Acontainer comprising a bodyfa lidfahin'ge j connecting said bodywithsaid lid; means fixed to the" upperedge and adjacent said' end of saidjbodyya-spring intensio-n fixed to the lower edge 01 said body and inparallebrelation therewith,

"threaded through said first "mentioned means, 'f' saidhinge being belowan extendedportionfof a i u r 'tion of s'aid cablewith said lid being a,so positionedthatSaid' -resiIierit means is adapted to exertiorcetendingtoraise said lid from a closed position,; and said -resilientmeans isadapted to "exertforcetending'to raise said lid froman saidlid having aninwardly, extending, means centrally disposed'of a side, and below saidfirst 'mentioned means, a cable connected with an end or said springadjacent said end or: said body andthe other end of said cable beingconnected with said last mentioned means, said cable being line throughsaid firstmentionedmeans and said second mentioned meansand saidsecondmen- 120 "tioned meansbeingbelow a line extended through saidfirst mentioned meansand said hingewherebysaid spring exerts forcetending toopensaidlid whensaid.containerlisclosed.

2. A container comprising a body, a lid, a hinge connecting one end ofsaid body with saidflid, means fixed to said body, a spring in tensionfixed to the lower edgeoi said bodygsaid lid having means, acableconnected with an end of said spring adjacent said end' ofsaidjbody' and the other endof said cable being connected with said lastmentioned means, said cable being threaded through said first mentionedmeans, said hinge being below a portion of a line extended through saidfirst mentioned means and said second mentioned means and said secondmentioned means Y being belowa portion of a line extended through withsaid spring and said last mentioned means,

1 said last mentioned means, said cable being mov- 55 said container isclosed.

saidcable being threaded through said first men tioned means, said firstmentioned means being above a line extended through said hinge and saidsecond mentioned means and said first mentioned means beingpositionedbetween'said hinge and said second mentioned means wherebysaid spring exerts force tending to open said lid when 4. A containercomprising a body, a lid, a hinge connecting said body with saidlid,means fixed to said body, a spring in tensionfixed to said body, saidlid having an inwardly extending means, a cable connected with saidspring and able on saidfirst mentioned means, said second mentionedmeans being below a line extended through said hinge and said firstmentioned means and said first mentioned means being positioned betweensaid hinge and said second mentioned means whereby said spring exertsforce tending to open said lid'when said container is closed, and saidspring exerts force tending to close said lid when said lid is inopen-position.

5. A container comprising a body, a lid hingedly connected with saidbody, meansfixedto said body, a spring intension fixed to said body,said lid having means, acable connected withsaid spring and said lastmentioned means, said cable being threaded through said first mentionedsaid "bodyand said first mentioned means being positionedbetween saidsecond mentioned-means and said hinged connection whereby said" springexerts force te'ndingto open'said lid-when said container'is closed, andsaid spring exerts force tending to close 'saidlid when-said lid is inopen ,position.- I 'I 6. The combination with a container having a bodyand a lid hingedly connected therewith, of

resilient means connected with saidbody, a cable 4 connected with-said{resilient means and to said lid,- andmeans comprising a pulley on saidbody through which said-"cable is threaded and said pulley, cable,"resilient means "and said connecopened position.

saidmeans and to saidlidfand means comprising a pulley onsaidbodyjthrough" which 'said cableis threaded and said pulley,cab1e,said first mentioned-means and -said connectionof said 'cable withsaid'lidbeing so positioned whereby said'firstmentioned'ineans isadapted to exert force tending to raise said lid from a closed position,and said first mentioned means is adapted to exert force tending toraise said lid from an opened position. I

' 8. In a container, a body, a lid having anend,

hingedly connected with an end of said body, said hinge being positionedintermediate the top and bottom of said body, a horizontal coil springfixed to the lower edge of a side of said body and extending parallelwith said edge, a pulley of said body, a pair of horizontally alignedpulleys fixed to said body adjacent its upper edge fixed tosaidloweredge and adjacent said end 7 and adjacent said end of said body, saidlid having a side off set from saidside of said body,

said: lid side having'a lug" therein substantially centrally disposed ofsaid side a cable having an end fixed to an end of said spring andthreadspring exerts force,=through said cable, tending to close said lidfrom its fully open position and tending to open said lid from itsclosedposition.

necting said, body with said lid, a horizontal coil spring fixed to theylower edge of a side of said body andextending parallel with said edge,a

pulley fixed to said lower edge and adjacent said ed through said firstmentioned pulley and be- "9. In a-container, a body,-a lid,ga hingecon-f end ofsaid body, means fixed to said body adjacent its upper edgeand adjacent said end of said body, said lid having a side'ofi set fromsaid side of said body, said lid side having a lug therein substantiallycentrally disposed of said side;

a cable having an end fixed to said spring and threaded through saidpulley and said means and having its other end fixed to said lug; saidspring being in tension when said lid is in fully open and in closedposition, said lug being below a line extended through said hinge andsaid nieanswhen said lidiis closed whereby said spring cent its upperedge and adjacent said end of said body, said lid having a side 01fsetfrom said side of said body, said'lidside having a lug therein, acable having an end fixed to said spring and threaded through said firstmentioned pulley and between said pair of pulleys and havingits otherend fixed tosaid lug, said spring being in tension when said lid is inopen and in closed position, and said lug being below a line extendedbetween said pair of pulleys and'through the hinge connected ofsaid lidwith saidbody, and said first mentionedmeans being positioned betweensaid second mentioned means and said hinged-connection whereby saidspring exerts force, through said cable, tending to else said lid fromits open position and tending to open said lid from its closed position.I

11. A container comprising a body, a lid, a hinge connecting said bodywith said lid, means fixed to the upper edge and adjacent said end ofsaid body, a housed spring in tension fixed to the lower edge of saidbodyand in parallel rela- -tion therewith, means attached to lower edgeof said body, said lid having an inwardly projecting means centrallydisposed of a side and below said first mentioned means, a cable havingone end connected with said housed spring adjacent;

,said end of said body and the other end of said' cable being connectedwith said third mentioned means, said cable being threaded through saidfirst mentioned means and through said second mentioned means, saidhinge being below an ex- 5 tended portion of a line through said firstmentioned means and said third mentioned means, whereby said springexerts force tending to open said lid when said container is closed.

12. A container comprising a body, a lid, a:-

hinge connecting said body with said lid, means fixed to the upper edgeand adjacent said end of said body,,a spring in tension fixed to thelower edge of said body, means attached to lower edge of said body, saidlidhaving an inwardi second mentioned means, said hinge being below anextended portion of a line through said first mentioned means and saidthird mentioned means, whereby said spring exerts force tending to opensaid lid when said container is closed.

RAY F. KUNS.

